The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has inaugurated a 22-member Constitution Review Committee to address internal democracy and discipline and to align the party with what it described as “strong democratic values, internal cohesion, and effective governance.”
Speaking at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, the National Chairman, Sen. David Mark, said the party constitution would serve as a moral compass that would define its ideology and “guides our conduct, regulates our internal processes, and safeguards internal democracy.”
Mark said that as the party continued to expand, it had become imperative to align its operations with global best practices in democratic party administration.
According to him, the exercise is “about ensuring clarity, fairness, inclusiveness, and accountability in our structures and processes. It is about creating a framework that empowers our members, promotes unity, resolves disputes fairly, and positions the ADC as a credible alternative for national leadership.”
The former Senate President, flanked by other members of the National Working Committee (NWC), urged members of the committee to “listen to the voices of party members at all levels, respect our founding values, and produce a constitution that strengthens internal democracy, enhances discipline, and guarantees transparency in party affairs.”
Members of the committee include its Chairman, Etigwe Uwa, SAN, Barr. Aishatu Dan-Kani, Prof. Lawal Salihu, former Gov. Emeka Ihedioha, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, Sen. E.Y. Orker-Jev, Sen. Idris Abdullahi Umar and Chief Ralph Nwosu.
Others are Barr. Peter Iyeola Oyewole, Hon. C.I.D. Maduabum, Hon. Ishaka Wala, Sen. Ehigie Uzamere, Mrs. Sally Oguni-Agbo, Hon. Mohammed Kumaila, Barr. Suleiman Usman (SAN), Bar Zawo Osu, retired D.I.G. Ibrahim Adamu, Dr. Rasaq Oyelami Saliu, Barr. Amanda Pam, Prof. Mohammed Sani Bello, Dr. Paul Angya and Rukayya Lamido Dodo.
The terms of reference of the committee include the review of the existing ADC Constitution to identify areas requiring amendment, clarification or updating.
Other mandates are “to ensure that the revised constitution aligns with global best practices in democratic governance, party administration, and internal democracy,” and “to strengthen provisions that promote inclusiveness, transparency, equity, and fair participation of all members, including women, youths, and persons with disabilities.”
The committee is also to “review the roles, powers, and relationships of party organs at all levels to enhance efficiency, accountability, and coordination,” as well as “review provisions relating to party primaries, congresses, dispute resolution, discipline, and sanctions to ensure fairness and credibility.”
It is further mandated “to ensure full compliance of the ADC Constitution with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and relevant electoral laws and regulations.”
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the committee, Uwa, said members were committed to the assignment and ready to deploy “our mental and physical resources to ensure that the assignment is successfully executed and we can fashion for the party a constitution which is forward looking with inbuilt dynamics for organic grassroots mobilization; with robust dispute resolution mechanics.”
He said that when completed, the constitution would shield the party from crises that frequently affect political parties, noting that constitutions are expected to be broad and provide fair and democratic means of selection for party offices and flagbearers.
Uwa added that “the review is not because the current constitution is not good, but the purpose of the review is to make the constitution much better.”
